Time’s up for the Yes2Rail blog, which I launched on June 30, 2008 as a paid consultant on Honolulu's elevated rail project. Yes2Rail’s August 13, 2012 post was its last following the author's move to Sacramento, CA. You’re invited to read four-plus years of information-packed entries, many of which are linked at our “aggregation site.” Look for the paragraph with red copy in the right-hand column, below. Mahalo for all the positive comments Yes2Rail received since its start.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Rail Start Is Key to Construction Industry in 2010

Pacific Business News wasted no time in starting the New Year with its January 1st assessment that “Hawaii’s construction industry is pinning its hopes for 2010 on Honolulu’s rail transit project….”

Groundbreaking has been pushed onward into 2010 due to what appears to be a fine-toothed combing of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement by numerous federal agencies. The delay seems to have quieted some who said the groundbreaking shouldn’t be rushed through before the end of the year. They got their wish, but an extended delay and review at the State level can’t be helpful to the economy.

“Rail trumps all other projects. It will create the most jobs – an estimated 11,000 – and re-energize the economy. We will most likely get our share of federal dollars in the range of $1 billion, if not more.”

Hearings Need Focus

The Honolulu Advertiser’s editorial today said any hearings held by agencies of the State could become a “big distraction” if it strays from the project’s environmental impacts into issues that already have been settled.

“The rail project rises to the level of importance that bolsters the case for public hearings,” the editorial states. “But the aim should be the gathering of information that can move this project toward completion in the most environmentally responsible way – not a stalling tactic to derail the project….

“Revisiting (issues that have been settled) won’t do anything but needlessly delay this well-planned, much-needed public works project.”

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This Isn't Political

Yes2Rail is a blog about the Honolulu rail transit project, which has become the key issue in this year’s mayoral race. We comment on the candidates’ plans to address Oahu’s growing congestion problem and whether those plans could meet the need as well as elevated rail can and will. That’s not the same as criticizing the candidates, and we urge our readers to recognize the difference.

Another red-light runner meets Denver at-grade train, 6.13.12

Honolulu rail will be elevated, with zero possibility for accidents like those shown in this column in cities with at-grade systems. Visit our "aggregation site" for much more on why elevated rail is the only reasonable way to build Honolulu rail.

What riding the train will avoid

Bus Accident Aftermath on H-1

'Black Tuesday'--9/5/06 Crash Produced Nightmare Commute

Typical H-1 Traffic

About Me

After five years of active-duty service as an Army officer with duty stations in West Berlin and South Vietnam, reported and edited for newspapers and broadcast stations (including all-news radio) in Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and Honolulu. Covered Honolulu city government for the Honolulu Advertiser and KGMB-TV. Served on Congressman Cec Heftel's staff in Honolulu and Washington, then managed corporate communications and was Hawaiian Electric Company's spokesman for nearly a decade. A communications consultant for 19 years before moving to California in 2012. Launched, produced and hosted Hawaii Public Radio's "live" weekly "Energy Futures" public affairs program in 2009-10. Authored books on The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific ("Punchbowl" 1982) and on the decline of standard grammar in business and society ("Me and Him Are Killing English!" 2007). Now an information officer with the California Department of Water Resources.